Veterans receive cold-weather clothing

When Ramon Torres left California, all he owned was what fit in his backpack.

THOMAS BRENNAN Daily News Staff

When Ramon Torres left California, all he owned was what fit in his backpack.

That changed on Wednesday when Torres joined other local veterans in need at the Disabled American Veterans building for the Department of Veterans Affairs cold weather initiative. They received flu shots, cold weather clothes, claims assistance, VA enrollment and a warm plate of food. The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored the event and provided overflow gear from the Department of Defense to homeless veterans. Supplies distributed included sweaters, sweatpants, underwear, a sleeping bag, toiletries, a backpack and more.

“People who help out us homeless people are priceless,” said Marine veteran Ramon Torres, 53, of Jacksonville. “Once you become homeless it’s hard to recover. These people are the real heroes though by giving us stuff. Their services are amazing.”

Having just come from California earlier this month, Torres said he feels blessed to have received the warm clothing. The cold nights, Torres said, will now be much easier. But he said he would like to see more being done for veterans on the street.

“How are you supposed to get a job if you can’t shower or wash your clothing?” Torres asked. “While this is great, maybe (the VA) could have homeless shelters that help you get back on your feet.”

The easiest way to survive on the street, according to Torres, is to just push on and never give up, and to pray that something good will come your way.

“The Marine Corps taught me to adapt and overcome,” Torres said. “I’m doing my best to do just that.”

Giving veterans as much help as possible is something that Ennit Bryant, the project officer for the VA’s Homeless Veterans Program, says is of the utmost importance to the VA from the top down, he said.

“Secretary Shinseki has a goal of eliminating veteran homelessness by 2015,” Bryant said. “Our opportunity here today is to impact veterans lives whether they are homeless or unregistered. We need to get them all the proper resources.”

Giving the homeless veterans supplies to live more comfortably, according to Bryant, in no way enables homelessness but rather it gives them a positive outlook by seeing that someone cares about them.

“A lot of veterans are walking around in their summer or fall attire and don’t have proper undergarments,” Bryant said. “We’re just glad we can give them a little comfort until they can get permanent housing.”

Many local Marines came to show support and to volunteer distributing the gear or serving food as people arrived Wednesday.

“We wanted to give back to our community and to the veterans who need help,” said Lance Cpl. Bronce Reasonover, 19, of Panama City, Fla. and a student aboard New River Air Station. “These men gave so much and certain circumstances put them where they are. If they need help I want to do my part and help them back on their feet.”

Having a family legacy within the military made Reasonover’s decision to join easy, he said, but helping hand out goods to the veterans in need was a calling.